Brian, the friendly soul who usually prepares your
morning report, is taking a well-deserved break. I'll try to fill his shoes.

HOW ABOUT THOSE TIGERS – After going up 2-0 in the
American League Divisional Series, the Tigers blew two straight games in
Oakland, tying the five-game series. Ace pitcher, reigning AL MVP and Cy Young
winner Justin Verlander pitched a complete-game shutout to send the Bless You
Boys back to the ALCS.

Says the head of the center, John Austin: "Great
universities, good roads, clean water, public safety and quality of life matter
enormously to Michigan residents," John Austin, the center's director,
said in a statement. "We have not figured out as a state how to
intelligently invest in these critical Michigan assets – many of which have
degraded due to tough economic times and tight budgets."

LAND BANK GETS DEPOSIT -- A committee of the Lansing City Council approved transferring a slew of tax-foreclosed property to the Ingham County Land Bank, after receiving a report on the agency's plans for hundreds of blighted properties in the city. The full council takes a vote Monday.

That's it for this morning. Come back to MLive Lansing for more news throughout the day, and make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.